Betty E. Brown

Betty E. Brown Betty E. Brown MIDDLEBORO Betty Elaine (Korpinen) Brown, age 65 years, lifelong resident of Middleboro, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of Hal Brown of Middleboro, they had been married for 37 years. Born in Middleboro, she was a daughter of Vaino A. and Margaret E. (Oakland) Korpinen of Middleboro. She was a 1962 graduate of Middleboro High School, then went on to graduate from UMass-Amherst in 1966, where she earned a bachelors degree and then went on to Michigan State and earned a masters and doctorate in American Literature. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She had been co-owner and CEO for Korpinen Cranberries, Inc., for 14 years, and had been a reference librarian, as well as leader of adult services, at the Middleboro Public Library, for over 20 years. She had participated in speeches, pertaining to the Historical Society, and was treasurer of the Cemetery at the Green Association, Middleboro. Betty had a great passion for the cranberry business, which reflected the many cranberry organizations she had been involved with, which included the Plymouth County Conservation District Board, the Ocean Spray Advisory Board and was vice-chairwoman of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. In her early years, Betty attended the First Congregational Church, Middleboro, as well as Sunday school. She will be warm-heartedly remembered as a devoted daughter and cousin and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Bettys hobbies included kayaking, animals (especially dogs and cats), walking beaches, reading and books. She is survived by her parents, her husband Hal; one aunt, Mary Korpinen of South Carver; cousins, Neil Korpinen of Santa Barbara, Calif., Cheryl Korpinen of New York, Brenda Chase of Plympton; and her special Godmother, Elsie Heleen of Rochester; and her dogs, Mac and Duff. Funeral services will be held in the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St., Middleboro, Saturday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are invited to attend, will be held Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Burial will take place in the Cemetery at the Green, Middleboro. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Middleboro Public Library, 102 North Main St., Middleboro, MA 02346, or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney, Boston, MA 02115, would be appreciated. For more information, visit www.eggerandashleyfh.com.